Will GM 200r4 work with factory floor shift location?

To Treblig---I never could have imagined when I ask the original question of "whether the floor linkage could be made to work with a 200r4" that it would turn into such a great thread. Thank you for a lot of us for making this so complete and detailed. I am at this point completely jealous that you have yours completed. Now I am looking forward to jbc426 reporting on his build using the powerglide bellhousing. I would like to report more progress on my own 68 Dart convertible but still am not rebuilding yet. I have though, at this point purchased a Buick Grand National 200r4 that I will be using when the time comes.
I do still have a lingering question. You have no doubt proven that the floor shift linkage can be re-engineered to work. My question is for us average Joe's without a lot of fabrication skills. (drum roll) Looking back would it be easier to use a cable linkage with the floor shifter? Would a cable be a little more forgiving on the flex and rotation of the driveline vs such short fixed linkage? Your thoughts would be appreciated. If I recall you had moments thinking about this as a backup but you were always able to engineer your way to a solution. Once again thank you for staying the course with both your pictures and explanations.


You lucky dog....I couldn't find a GN 2004R after two years of looking when I was trying to get a tranny for overhaul!!! Had to settle for a regular one, but with the help of that great transmission shop, they upgraded it and it works beautifully!!!
To answer your question...YES, it would be easier and much more forgiving and faster if you used a cable shifter!! I did it my way for many reasons, one - I'm stubborn as hell, two - I really wanted to keep the original shifter stuff, three - I love a challenge, four - it really wasn't that hard actually. But I understand where you're coming from. I hope my thread and my posts make it easier for you and others and if you have any questions at all or need extra pics of any areas...just let me know and I'll help in any way I can. I could have easily competed the swap in 5 days (or less) if I had known what I now know.
Thanks for hanging in there with me and thanks for the encouragement along the way. The cable shift would be way easier, just make a good mounting point at the floor shifter, make sure you put it in the correct location (front/rear), make sure there are no sharp bends, and once you get the shifter installed check the amount of "throw" you get on the cable and pick the appropriate spot on the tranny selection lever (double and triple check). You'll also get a little better response in your shifting if you secure the cable every 2 or 3 feet so it doesn't move around when you shift. Watch out for the exhaust, it will melt the cable!!!!

Treblig